Kaiser Los Angeles Options Locations - What has been your experience?

[thisfathasgot2go 235]

Hello,

I was just referred to Health Education by my PCP. My PCP is at Sunset. I am willing to consider other locations for the OPTIONS PROGRAM, not just Sunset if I can get a better experience, a better doctor, more opportunities to try newer options like Duodenal Switch.

Has anyone gone through the process at Kaiser Sunset or Baldwin Park? These are the closest locations to my home and work.

If so, were the days/classes numerous and flexible? Weekends? Days and evenings?

Does it take longer at Sunset vs. Baldwin Hills? Or vice-versa?

Should I consider one of the other locations around Los Angeles?

Baldwin Hills has no weekends, but several options during the week during the day and night. It was explained to me that for three months, you meet 2x a month for 3 hours each class. They have two orientations a month.

Sunset confirmed their next class is May 18, with a mix of weekends, day and evening classes (days/times not confirmed).

I would like to start at a center that is not backlogged or takes a long time to get appointments and classes.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and information.

[Steve Puckett 33]

Did my Options program with Kaiser in Downey with some additional classes at South Bay. Both of those programs are excellent if they are being considered at all. I'm curious that you mentioned Duodenal Switch. That is a severe procedure reserved for near life threatening UBER OBESITY or reconstructive salvage for VERY BAD patients who completely failed with the sleeve, it is not for the 45 to 60 + BMI patients, further expect massive daily Vitamin supplements and eternal diarrhea. GOOD LUCK

[thisfathasgot2go 235]

Thank you for responding. I will consider Downey or South Bay if they provide great service and doctors.

Also thanks for the information on the DS. I have heard of it as being an option, but not those details. Good to know this.

Edited April 25, 2015 by thisfathasgot2go

[Steve Puckett 33]

Thank you for responding. I will consider Downey or South Bay if the provide great service and doctors.

Also thanks for the information on the DS. I have heard of it as being an option, but not those details. Good to know this.

Thank you for replying ! I wanted the best possible results for myself but the DS is the last gasp solution, Kaiser will do as a rehab or near death but quality of life is poor. R&Y worked great for me from Kaiser as you can see. Dr. Mun was my surgeon, and unlike most he only hand sews everything inside instead of staples, he feels he has greater control and staples can catch food creating problems and blockages. Just thought I'd let you know

[msrereb 6]

i just had my thru Kaiser Fontana, and the surgeon operates out of St Bernadine in San Bernardino. went thru options for 12 weeks once a week.i still hadnt decided to do it. my class was over in October. i didnt make up my mind until January. i had some additional tests to take, but saw the surgeon on March 23 for my April 23 surgery date.

[Steve Puckett 33]

I attend a weekly support group at Kaiser in Downey for post-op patients, every single person does not regret the procedure. We have people in the group from two weeks out to 8 years out !!! Support group really help keeping on track and not slipping back into old habbits

[msrereb 6]

yes, there nothing like a good support group! stay with them!

[thisfathasgot2go 235]

Have any of you been refused by Kaiser because of a BMI under 42 and no underlying medical issues?

[almond_jay 18]

Thank you for replying ! I wanted the best possible results for myself but the DS is the last gasp solution, Kaiser will do as a rehab or near death but quality of life is poor. R&Y worked great for me from Kaiser as you can see. Dr. Mun was my surgeon, and unlike most he only hand sews everything inside instead of staples, he feels he has greater control and staples can catch food creating problems and blockages. Just thought I'd let you know

Thank you for responding. I will consider Downey or South Bay if the provide great service and doctors.

Also thanks for the information on the DS. I have heard of it as being an option, but not those details. Good to know this.

@@Steve Puckett I just finished my Kaiser program and I was told all the surgeons at South Bay and West LA staple. I even asked if he sews and they said no. So just to be clear, Dr. Mun does sew everything even laproscopically?

I'm really curious because I do have a lot of concerns about staples, although everyone says they are safe. I just don't like the idea of them forever in my stomach. Thanks!

[Steve Puckett 33]

@@Steve Puckett I just finished my Kaiser program and I was told all the surgeons at South Bay and West LA staple. I even asked if he sews and they said no. So just to be clear, Dr. Mun does sew everything even laproscopically?

Thank you for replying ! I wanted the best possible results for myself but the DS is the last gasp solution, Kaiser will do as a rehab or near death but quality of life is poor. R&Y worked great for me from Kaiser as you can see. Dr. Mun was my surgeon, and unlike most he only hand sews everything inside instead of staples, he feels he has greater control and staples can catch food creating problems and blockages. Just thought I'd let you know

Thank you for responding. I will consider Downey or South Bay if the provide great service and doctors.

Also thanks for the information on the DS. I have heard of it as being an option, but not those details. Good to know this.

I'm really curious because I do have a lot of concerns about staples, although everyone says they are safe. I just don't like the idea of them forever in my stomach. Thanks!

Yes Mun sewed everything for me and my fellow Mun patients in my Option support group !

[almond_jay 18]

@@Steve Puckett was he really strict with the 10% weight loss requirement?

[Steve Puckett 33]

@@Steve Puckett was he really strict with the 10% weight loss requirement?

Dr. Mun is very strict, he will not hesitate to postpone or cancel your surgery if you are naughty ! Post surgery, follow his advice on eating on the follow up visit, he lets you progress a bit faster on what you can eat than Options class tells you. Just start Protein shakes ( 3 a day ) immediately if you are to visit him soon and go on this shake only diet two week prior to the surgery, it will ensure your acceptance and take fat off your liver to make Mun's job easier.

GOOD LUCK !!

[almond_jay 18]

@@Steve Puckett I just finished class this week but only lost 12lbs and I need 31. And I'm a slow loser. So it worries me that he would make me wait a long time to have my surgery. But I do want him as a surgeon. I just don't want to be postponed! Or be stressed over every pound, I have a high stress job already.

[Steve Puckett 33]

@@Steve Puckett I just finished class this week but only lost 12lbs and I need 31. And I'm a slow loser. So it worries me that he would make me wait a long time to have my surgery. But I do want him as a surgeon. I just don't want to be postponed! Or be stressed over every pound, I have a high stress job already.

Start drinking Protein Shakes ONLY right now.